Nested insulated packaging

ABSTRACT

A thermal liner can include a single piece of resilient insulation material; and an outer covering coupled to the single piece of resilient insulation material; and wherein a first portion of the thermal liner defines a first end of the thermal liner; a second portion of the thermal liner defines a second end of the thermal liner; a third portion of the thermal liner is positioned between the first portion and the second portion; the single piece of resilient insulation material at least partially defining each of the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion; the thermal liner is configured to fold to a C-shaped configuration; the first portion is positioned substantially parallel to the second portion in the C-shaped configuration; and the third portion is substantially perpendicular to the first portion and the second portion in the C-shaped configuration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Application No. 17/887,108,filed Aug. 12, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. Application No.15/931,671, filed May 14, 2020, which issued into U.S. Pat. No.11,453,543 on Sep. 27, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. ApplicationNo. 15/954,677, filed Apr. 17, 2018, which issued into U.S. Pat. No.10,752,425 on Aug. 25, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. ApplicationNo. 14/690,501, filed Apr. 20, 2015, which issued into U.S. Pat. No.9,981,797 on May 29, 2018, which are each hereby incorporated byreference herein in their respective entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to packaging. More specifically, this disclosurerelates to nested insulated packaging.

BACKGROUND

Packaging perishable items, pharmaceuticals, and other temperaturesensitive items poses a challenge to suppliers and consumers alike. Forexample, suppliers are faced with the challenge of shipping perishableitems, pharmaceuticals, and other temperature sensitive itemseconomically while minimizing spoilage, browning, bruising,over-ripening, and other forms of transit breakage. Similar challengesexist for individual consumers shipping perishable items,pharmaceuticals, and other temperature sensitive items.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is a thermal liner comprising a single piece of resilientinsulation material; and an outer covering coupled to the single pieceof resilient insulation material; and wherein: a first portion of thethermal liner defines a first end of the thermal liner; a second portionof the thermal liner defines a second end of the thermal liner; a thirdportion of the thermal liner is positioned between the first portion andthe second portion; the single piece of resilient insulation material atleast partially defining each of the first portion, the second portion,and the third portion; the thermal liner is configured to fold to aC-shaped configuration; the first portion is positioned substantiallyparallel to the second portion in the C-shaped configuration; and thethird portion is substantially perpendicular to the first portion andthe second portion in the C-shaped configuration.

Also disclosed a method of configuring a thermal liner in a C-shape, themethod comprising folding a first portion of the thermal liner to besubstantially perpendicular to a second portion of the thermal liner,the thermal liner comprising a single piece of resilient insulationmaterial and an outer covering coupled to the resilient insulationmaterial, the single piece of resilient insulation at least partiallydefining each of the first portion and the second portion; and folding athird portion of the thermal liner to be substantially perpendicular tothe second portion of the thermal liner, the single piece of resilientinsulation material at least partially defining the third portion.

Various implementations described in the present disclosure may includeadditional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may notnecessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detaileddescription and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all suchsystems, methods, features, and advantages be included within thepresent disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and components of the following figures are illustrated toemphasize the general principles of the present disclosure.Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may bedesignated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistencyand clarity.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of nested insulated packaging in accordancewith one embodiment of the present disclosure including an outer box, aninner box, a first thermal liner, a second thermal liner, and a pad.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first thermal liner, second thermalliner, and outer box of FIG. 1 with the first thermal liner and secondthermal liner positioned in the outer box.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the inner box and pad of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the nested insulated packaging of FIG. 1showing how the inner box is positioned in the outer box with thethermal liners and with handles of the inner box projecting upwards.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the nested insulated packaging of FIG. 1with handles of the inner box folded so the outer box may be closed.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the nested insulated packaging of FIG. 1with the outer box closed.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the nested insulated packaging of FIG. 6taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6 .

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an outer box.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an inner box.

FIG. 10 is a top view of another embodiment of the first thermal linerand the second thermal liner.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the outer box of FIG. 10 , the innerbox of FIG. 9 , and the thermal liners of FIG. 10 showing how thethermal liners and inner box are positioned in the outer box.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the outer box of FIG. 10 in a closedposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed is nested insulated packaging and associated methods, systems,devices, and various apparatus. The nested insulated packaging includesan outer box, an inner box, and a thermal liner. It would be understoodby one of skill in the art that the disclosed nested insulated packagingis described in but a few exemplary embodiments among many. Noparticular terminology or description should be considered limiting onthe disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom. Directionalreferences such as “up,” “down,” “top,” “left,” “right,” “front,”“back,” and “corners,” among others are intended to refer to theorientation as shown and described in the figure (or figures) to whichthe components and directions are referencing.

One embodiment of nested insulated packaging assembly 100 is disclosedand described in FIG. 1 . The nested insulated packaging assembly 100includes an outer box 102, an inner box 104, a first thermal liner 106,a second thermal liner 108, and a divider 110.

The outer box 102 includes a top end 112, a bottom end 114, a frontlateral side wall 116, a back lateral side wall 118, a left lateral sidewall 120, and a right lateral side wall 122. The front lateral side wall116 includes an inner surface (not shown) and an outer surface 126. Theback lateral side wall 118 includes an inner surface 128 and an outersurface (not shown). The left lateral side wall 120 defines an innersurface (not shown) and an outer surface 130. The right lateral sidewall 122 defines an inner surface 132 and an outer surface (not shown).The inner surfaces of the lateral side walls 116,118,120,122 define anouter storage cavity 134. The lateral side walls 116,118,120,122 definea top opening 124 at the top end 112 of the outer box 102. A distancefrom the top end 112 to the bottom end 114 defines an outer box height.

As shown in FIG. 1 , in the present embodiment, the outer box 102includes a top left flap 136 connected to the left lateral side wall 120and a top right flap 138 connected to the right lateral side wall 122 atthe top end 112. The outer box 102 also includes a back flap 140connected to the back lateral side wall 118 at the top end 112. Whenclosed, the top left flap 136, top right flap 138, and back flap 140define a top side wall of the outer box 102. In various embodiments, theback flap 140 includes a locking panel 141 connected to the back flap140 through a bend line 143. The flaps 136,138,140 may be used to closethe top opening 124. In various embodiments, the outer box 102 includesa bottom left flap 216 connected to the left lateral side wall 120 atthe bottom end 114 and a bottom right flap 218 connected to the rightlateral side wall 122 at the bottom end 114. When closed, the bottomflaps 216,218 define a bottom side wall of the outer box 102. The numberof flaps on the outer box 102 should not be considered limiting on thecurrent disclosure. In addition, the location, number, and shape of theflaps should not be considered limiting. For example, in various otherembodiments, each lateral side wall 116,118,120,122 includes a flap atthe top end 112 of the outer box 102.

In various embodiments, the outer box 102 also includes bottom flaps ateach lateral side wall 116,118,120,122 at the bottom end 114. In variousembodiments, any of the flaps on the outer box 102 may be integral withthe outer box 102 or connected to the outer box 102. In variousembodiments, any of the flaps on the outer box 102 may includeconnecting mechanisms such as slats, snaps, adhesive, hooks and loops,and any other connecting mechanisms for selectively holding the flaps inplace when the top opening 124 is closed. In addition, the number ofside walls outer box 102 should not be considered limiting on thecurrent disclosure. In various embodiments, the outer box 102 includesthe top side wall, the bottom side wall, and at least one lateral sidewall. For example, in various embodiments, the outer box 102 may be acylindrically shaped box with a plurality of side walls curved into acylindrical shape, where each side wall is a portion of the curvedcylindrical perimeter of the box, such as where each side wall is aquarter portion of the perimeter, a half portion of the perimeter, or athird portion of the perimeter, or where one side wall is a thirdportion of the perimeter and one side wall is a two-thirds portion ofthe perimeter.

The nested insulated packaging assembly 100 also includes the firstthermal liner 106 in various embodiments. In various embodiments, thefirst thermal liner 106 includes a top end 224, a bottom end 226, a leftside end 228, and a right side end 230. As shown in FIG. 1 , the firstthermal liner defines an outer surface 145 and an inner surface 147between the ends 224,226,228,230. In various embodiments, the firstthermal liner 106 includes a top fold 142 defined between the top end224 and a first bend line 148, a back fold 144 defined between the firstbend line 148 and a second bend line 150, and a bottom fold 146 definedbetween the bend line 150 and the bottom end 226. In variousembodiments, the top fold 142 is foldable relative to the back fold 144at the first bend line 148 and the bottom fold 146 is foldable relativeto the back fold 144 at the second bend line 150.

The first thermal liner 106 is used to wrap the contents of the outerbox 102 vertically and line the bottom flaps 216,218 at the bottom end114 forming the bottom side of the outer box 102, the back lateral sidewall 118, and the flaps 136,138,140 at the top end 112 forming the topside of the outer box 102. In various embodiments, when the firstthermal liner 106 is positioned in the outer box 102, the inner surface147 faces the contents of the outer box 102 in the outer storage cavity134 and the outer surface 145 faces the bottom flaps 216,218 at thebottom end 114, the back lateral side wall 118, and the flaps136,138,140 at the top end 112 of the outer box 102. In various otherembodiments, the outer surface 145 may face any of the lateral sidewalls 116,118,120,122 as desired. A distance from the first bend line148 to the second bend line 150 defines a height of the back fold 144.In various embodiments, the height of the back fold 144 is less than orequal to the height of the outer box 102. In various embodiments, thedimensions of the top fold 142, back fold 144, and bottom fold 146 maybe varied to accommodate various outer boxes 102 having variousdimensions.

In various embodiments, the nested insulated packaging assembly 100 alsoincludes the second thermal liner 108. In various embodiments, thesecond thermal liner 108 includes a top side end 232, a bottom side end234, a left side end 236 and a right side end 238. As shown in FIG. 1 ,the second thermal liner 108 defines an outer surface 239 and an innersurface 241 between the ends 232,234,236,238. The second thermal liner108 includes a left fold 152 defined between the left side end 236 and athird bend line 158, a front fold 154 defined between the third bendline 158 and a fourth bend line 160, and a right fold 156 definedbetween the fourth bend line 160 and the right side end 238 in variousembodiments. In various embodiments, the left fold 152 is foldablerelative to the front fold 154 at the third bend line 158 and the rightfold 156 is foldable relative to the front fold 154 at the fourth bendline 160.

The second thermal liner 108 is used to wrap the contents of the outerbox horizontally and line the left lateral side wall 120, front lateralside wall 116, and right lateral side wall 122 of the outer box 102. Invarious embodiments when the second thermal liner 108 is positioned inthe outer box 102, the inner surface 241 faces the contents in the outerstorage cavity 134 of the outer box 102 and the outer surface 239 facesthe left lateral side wall 120, front lateral side wall 116, and rightlateral side wall 122 of the outer box 102. In various embodiments, theouter surface 239 may face any of the lateral side walls 116,118,120,122as desired. A distance from the top end 232 to the bottom end 234defines a height of the second thermal liner 108. In variousembodiments, the height of the second thermal liner 108 is less than orequal to the height of the back fold 144 of the first thermal liner 106.In various embodiments, the dimensions of the left fold 152, front fold154, and right fold 156 may be varied to accommodate various outer boxes102 having various dimensions.

In various embodiments, the first thermal liner 106 and the secondthermal liner 108 are C-shaped when folded. In various embodiments, thefirst thermal liner 106 is C-shaped by folding the top fold 142 and thebottom fold 146 in the same direction relative to the back fold 144. Invarious embodiments, the second thermal liner 108 is C-shaped by foldingthe left fold 152 and the right fold 156 in the same direction relativeto the front fold 154. However, the shape of the folded liners 106,108should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure as invarious other embodiments, the folded liners 106, 108 may have anydesired shape. In various embodiments, the first thermal liner 106 andthe second thermal liner 108 provide both cushioning and climate controlto provide cushioned protection for the contents of the outer box 102and maintain a temperature within the outer box 102. In variousembodiments, the thermal liners 106,108 may include materials including,but not limited to, polyester film, such as polyethylene terephthalate(PET) film, foams, pellets, fabrics, nonwovens, polyethylene,polyurethane, polypropylene, and various other materials that maycontribute towards a cushioned and climate controlled protective layerin the nested insulated packaging assembly 100. In various embodiments,the thermal liners 106,108 are biodegradable. In various embodiments,the thermal liners 106,108 are compostable. In various embodiments, thethermal liners are R-4 poly-encapsulated thermal 100% recycled cottonliners. In various embodiments, the nested insulated packaging assembly100 includes the outer box 102, first thermal liner 106, and secondthermal liner 108.

The nested insulated packaging assembly 100 also includes the inner box104 in various embodiments; however, in various other embodiments, theinner box 104 is omitted from the nested insulated packaging assembly100. The inner box 104 includes a top end 162, a bottom end 164, a frontlateral side wall 166, a back lateral side wall 168, a left lateral sidewall 170, and a right lateral side wall 172. The front lateral side wall166 includes an inner surface (not shown) and an outer surface 174. Theback lateral side wall 168 includes an inner surface 176 and an outersurface (not shown). The left lateral side wall 170 defines an innersurface (not shown) and an outer surface 178. The right lateral sidewall 172 defines an inner surface 180 and an outer surface (not shown).The inner surfaces of the lateral side walls 166,168,170,172 define aninner storage cavity 182. The lateral side walls 166,168,170,172 definean inner box top opening 184 at the top end 162 of the inner box 104.

As shown in FIG. 1 , in the present embodiment, the inner box 104includes a back flap 186 connected to the back lateral side wall 168 anda front flap 188 connected to the front lateral side wall 166 at the topend 162. The flaps 186,188 may be used to close the inner box topopening 184. When closed, the back flap 186 and front flap 188 define atop side wall of the inner box 104. In various embodiments, the innerbox 104 includes a bottom left flap 220 at the bottom end 164 of theleft lateral side wall 170 and a bottom right flap 222 at the bottom end164 of the right lateral side wall 172. When closed, the bottom leftflap 220 and bottom right flap 222 define a bottom side wall of theinner box 104. As shown in FIG. 1 , in various embodiments, the backflap 186 includes a first handle panel 190 bendable along a back bendline 198 and defining a first handle 194. In various embodiments, thefront flap 188 includes a second handle panel 192 bendable along a frontbend line 200 and defining a second handle 196. In various embodiments,the handle panels 190,192 are folded along the respective bend lines198,200 such that the handle panels 190,192 project upwards from theinner box 104, as shown in FIG. 4 . In various embodiments, the handlepanels 190,192 are in facing or near-facing contact when the handlepanels 190,192 project upwards from the inner box 104. In variousembodiments, the handles 194,196 are aligned when the handle panels190,192 project upwards from the inner box 104.

The location, shape, or number of flaps or handles with the inner box104 should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure. Forexample, in various other embodiments, each lateral side wall166,168,170,172 includes a flap at the top end 162 of the inner box 104.In various embodiments, the inner box 104 also includes bottom flaps ateach lateral side wall 166,168,170,172 at the bottom end 164. In variousembodiments, any of the flaps on the inner box 104 may be integral withthe inner box 104 or connected to the inner box 104. In variousembodiments, any of the flaps on the inner box 104 may includeconnecting mechanisms such as slats, snaps, adhesive, hooks and loops,and any other connecting mechanisms for selectively holding the flaps inplace when the inner box top opening 184 is closed. In variousembodiments, the handle panels 190,192 may be integral with the innerbox 104 or connected to the inner box 104 through the flaps 186,188. Invarious embodiments, the handles 194,196 are formed integral with thehandle panels 190,192 or connected to the handle panels 190,192 throughconnecting mechanisms including, but not limited to, slats, snaps,adhesive, hooks and loops, stitching, and any other connectingmechanisms. In addition, the number of side walls of the inner box 104should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure. In variousembodiments, the inner box 104 includes the top side wall, the bottomside wall, and at least one lateral side wall. For example, in variousembodiments, the inner box 104 may be a cylindrically shaped box with aplurality of side walls curved into a cylindrical shape, where each sidewall is a portion of the curved cylindrical perimeter of the box, suchas where each side wall is a quarter portion of the perimeter, a halfportion of the perimeter, or a third portion of the perimeter, or whereone side wall is a third portion of the perimeter and one side wall is atwo-thirds portion of the perimeter.

In various embodiments, the nested insulated packaging assembly 100includes the divider 110; however, in various other embodiments, thedivider 110 may be omitted from the nested insulated packaging assembly100. In various embodiments, the nested insulated packaging assembly 100includes the outer box 102, first thermal liner 106, second thermalliner 108, and divider 110. The divider 110 includes a front side 202, aback side 204, a left side 206, a right side 208, a top side 210, and abottom side (not shown). In various embodiments, the sides202,204,206,208 define a divider shape such that the divider 110 isinsertable into the inner storage cavity 182 of the inner box 104. Asshown in FIG. 1 , in various embodiments, the divider 110 includes atleast one vent opening 214 through the divider 110. In the presentembodiment, the divider 110 includes six vent openings 214 centrallypositioned on the divider 110; however, the number, shape, or locationof vent openings 214 on the divider 110 should not be consideredlimiting on the current disclosure. In various embodiments, the ventopening 214 enables and regulates fluid flow through the divider 110. Invarious other embodiments, the divider 110 may include various othermechanisms for enabling and regulating fluid flow through the divider110 such as various perforations, slits, slots, or various other similarmechanisms. In various embodiments, the divider 110 may not have anyvent openings 214 or otherwise prevent fluid flow through the divider110.

In various embodiments, the divider 110 may include an anchoringmechanism for securing a refrigerant on the divider 110 in the upperchamber 700, the lower chamber 702, or in both chambers 700,702. Invarious embodiments, the anchoring mechanism may be a strap, panels,slat, hook and loop connectors, adhesives, or various other anchoringmechanisms for securing a refrigerant on the divider 110.

FIG. 2 shows the outer box 102 with the first thermal liner 106 andsecond thermal liner 108 positioned in the outer storage cavity 134 ofthe outer box 102. As shown in FIG. 2 , the first thermal liner 106lines the bottom flaps at the bottom end 114 and the back lateral sidewall 118 of the outer box 102 and the second thermal liner 108 lines theleft lateral side wall 120, front lateral side wall 116, and rightlateral side wall 122 of the outer box 102. In various embodiments, asshown in FIG. 7 , the second thermal liner 108 is positioned in theouter box 102 with the first thermal liner 106 such that the bottom end234 of the second thermal liner 108 contacts the inner surface 147 ofthe first thermal liner 106 on the bottom fold 146 of the first thermalliner 106 and the left side end 236 and the right side end 238 of thesecond thermal liner 108 contact the inner surface 147 of the firstthermal liner 106 on the back fold 144 of the first thermal liner 106.When the nested insulated packaging assembly 100 is closed, as shown inFIG. 7 , the top end 232 of the second thermal liner 108 contacts theinner surface 147 of the first thermal liner 106 on the top fold 142 ofthe first thermal liner 106. When the box 102 is closed, the firstthermal liner 106 also lines the back flap 140 at the top end 112 of theouter box 102. As shown in FIG. 2 , the height of the outer box 102 isgreater than or equal to the height of the back fold 144 of the firstthermal liner 106 and the height of the back fold 144 of the firstthermal liner 106 is greater than or equal to the height of the secondthermal liner 108. In various embodiments, an insulated cavity 240 isdefined by the first thermal liner 106 and second thermal liner 108lining the outer box 102. The insulated cavity 240 is cushioned andmaintains a temperature within the outer box 102.

FIG. 3 shows the inner box 104 and divider 110. As shown in FIG. 3 , thesides 202,204,206,208 define a shape of the divider 110 such that thedivider 110 is insertable into the inner storage cavity 182 of the innerbox 104 in the horizontal orientation shown in FIG. 3 and the divider110 is housed within the inner box 104.

FIG. 4 shows the inner box 104 inserted into the insulated cavity 240formed by the first thermal liner 106 and the second thermal liner 108when the liners 106,108 are positioned in the outer box 102. In variousembodiments, the inner box 104 is inserted into the insulated cavity 240such that the front lateral side wall 166 is aligned with the frontlateral side wall 116 of the outer box 102, the back lateral side wall168 is aligned with the back lateral side wall 118 of the outer box 102,the left lateral side wall 170 is aligned with the left lateral sidewall 120 of the outer box 102, and the right lateral side wall 172 isaligned with the right lateral side wall 122 of the outer box 102;however, this alignment should not be considered limiting on the currentdisclosure as in various other embodiments, the lateral side walls166,168,170,172 may have any desired alignment relative to the lateralside walls 116,118,120,122 of the outer box 102. When the inner box 104is positioned in the insulated cavity 240, one outer surface is incontact with the inner surface 147 of the first thermal liner 106 on theback fold 144 of the first thermal liner 106 and the remaining outersurfaces of the side walls 166,168,170,172 of the inner box 104 are incontact with the inner surface 241 of the second thermal liner 108. Invarious embodiments, the inner surface 147 of the first thermal liner106 and the inner surface 241 of the second thermal liner 108 are incontact with the inner box 104 and the outer surface 145 of the firstthermal liner 106 and the outer surface 239 of the second thermal liner108 are in contact with the outer box 102.

As shown in FIG. 4 , in various embodiments, the first handle panel 190is bent along the back bend line 198 such that the first handle panel190 projects upwards from the inner box 104. In various embodiments, thesecond handle panel 192 is bent along the front bend line 200 such thatthe second handle panel 192 projects upwards from the inner box 104. Invarious embodiments, both handle panels 190,192 are bent along bendlines 198,200 and project upwards from the inner box 104. When bothhandle panels 190,192 project upwards, in various embodiments, the firsthandle 194 may align with the second handle 196. In various embodiments,the handle panels 190,192 projecting upwards enable a user to moreeasily grab the inner box 104 through the first handle 194, secondhandle 196, or both handles 194,196 and remove the inner box 104 fromthe insulated cavity 240.

FIG. 5 shows the inner box 104 inserted into the insulated cavity 240with the handle panels 190,192 in a collapsed position which blocks theinner box top opening 184. As partially shown in FIG. 5 , in variousembodiments, in the collapsed position, the back flap 186 and firsthandle panel 190 are folded over the front flap 188 and second handlepanel 192 such that the back flap 186, first handle panel 190, frontflap 188, and second handle panel 192 are orthogonal to the lateral sidewalls 116,118,120,122 of the outer box 102. In various otherembodiments, the flaps 186,188 and handle panels 190,192 may be foldedat an angle other than orthogonal. In various other embodiments, thefront flap 188 and second handle panel 192 may be folded over the backflap 186 and first handle panel 190. In various other embodiments, theflaps 186,188 and/or panels 190,192 may be folded in any configurationsuitable to block the inner box top opening 184.

FIG. 6 shows the nested insulated packaging assembly 100 fully closed.When the nested insulated packaging assembly 100 is fully closed, theback flap 140 is folded to cover the top opening 124 of the outerstorage cavity 134. In various embodiments, the locking panel 141 isinserted into the outer storage cavity 134 to help secure the back flap140 closed. The fully closed nested insulated packaging assembly 100 maybe self-sealing in various embodiments. In various other embodiments,the nested insulated packaging assembly 100 may utilize sealers such asvarious adhesives, glues, tapes, hook and loop connectors, and variousother connecting mechanisms. As shown in FIG. 6 , in variousembodiments, a notch 600 is defined in the front lateral side wall 116at the top end 112. In various embodiments, the notch 600 enables a userto access the locking panel 141.

In the current embodiment, the first thermal liner 106 contacts theouter box 102 at the bottom side wall of the outer box 102 formed byflaps 216,218, the back lateral side wall 118, and the top side wall ofthe outer box 102 formed by flaps 136,138,140. In the currentembodiment, the first thermal liner 106 also contacts the inner box 104at the bottom side wall of the inner box 104 formed by flaps 220,222,the back lateral side wall 168, and the top side wall of the inner boxformed by flaps 186,188. In the current embodiment, the second thermalliner 108 contacts the outer box 102 at the left lateral side wall 120,front lateral side wall 116, and right lateral side wall 122. In thecurrent embodiment, the second thermal liner 108 also contacts the innerbox 104 at the left lateral side wall 170, the front lateral side wall166, and the right lateral side wall 172. In various other embodiments,the liners 106,108 may have any desired configuration such thattogether, the liners 106,108 contact the respective side walls of theouter box 102 and inner box 104. The respective contact between thefirst thermal liner 106, second thermal liner 108, outer box 102, andinner box 104 is partially shown in FIG. 7 .

FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the nested insulated packagingassembly 100 taken along line 7 - 7 in FIG. 6 . As shown in FIG. 7 ,when the nested insulated packaging assembly 100 is fully closed, thelocking panel 141 connected to the back flap 140 is at least partiallyinserted into the outer storage cavity 134 such that the locking panel141 is adjacent to the front lateral side wall 116. FIG. 7 also showsthe back flap 186 and first handle panel 190 folded over the front flap188 and second handle panel 192 such that the back flap 186, firsthandle panel 190, front flap 188, and second handle panel 192 areorthogonal to the side walls 170,172 of the inner box 104 in variousembodiments.

In various embodiments, a user may desire to package items 704 at afirst temperature in the nested insulated packaging assembly 100 anditems 706 at a second temperature in the nested insulated packagingassembly 100. In various embodiments, the items 704 and items 706 may bevarious perishable items, pharmaceuticals, other temperature sensitiveitems, or other items to be shipped such as boxes of food, bottles ofbeverages, bagged fruits, bagged vegetables, and various other items. Asshown in FIG. 7 , the divider 110 is positioned in the inner storagecavity 182 of the inner box 104. The divider 110 divides the innerstorage cavity 182 into an upper chamber 700 and a lower chamber 702. Invarious embodiments, the divider 110 may be mounted in the inner box 104through various connecting mechanisms such as adhesives and glues,positioned on a ledge or flap of the inner surface of the inner box 104,rest on top of the items 704 in the lower chamber, or otherwise bepositioned in the inner storage cavity 182 dividing the inner storagecavity into the upper chamber 700 and lower chamber 702.

In various embodiments, a combination of the first thermal liner 106,second thermal liner 108, and divider 110 maintain the lower chamber 702at a first temperature suitable for the items 704 and maintain the upperchamber 700 at a second temperature suitable for the items 706. Invarious embodiments, the upper chamber 700 is maintained at atemperature above the temperature of the lower chamber 702. As describedabove, in various embodiments, the divider 110 includes vent openings214 enabling fluid flow, typically air flow in various embodiments,through the divider 110. In various embodiments, warm air present in thelower chamber 702 may be vented to the upper chamber 700 through thevent openings 214. Venting of the warm air to the upper chamber 700 maykeep the lower chamber 702 at a colder temperature for a longer durationbecause the divider 110 isolates the two temperature chambers. In thismanner, co-shipment of items requiring dual temperatures is enabled.

Each of the upper chamber 700 and the lower chamber 702 may havecustomized temperature profiles. In various embodiments, the size,shape, and number of vent openings 214 may regulate the air flow throughthe divider 110 at desired levels to achieve specific temperatureprofiles in each of the upper chamber 700 and the lower chamber 702. Invarious embodiments, the insulation properties of the first thermalliner 106, second thermal liner 108, outer box 102, inner box 104, anddivider 110 are also utilized to achieve specific temperature profilesin each of the upper chamber 700 and the lower chamber 702. As shown inFIG. 7 , in various embodiments, the inner box 104 provides a physicalbarrier between the items 704,706 to be shipped and the thermal liners106,108. In these embodiments, the thermal liners 106,108 may notcontact the items 704,706 and the wear on the thermal liners 106,108from the items 704,706, such as tearing, moisture, dirt, and other typesof wear, is reduced.

The temperature profiles in each of the upper chamber 700 and lowerchamber 702 may be controlled through location of a refrigerant in theouter box 102, location of a refrigerant in the inner box 104, the ventopenings 214, the composition of the divider 110, the shape of thedivider 110, and the insulation properties of the first thermal liner106, second thermal liner 108, outer box 102, inner box 104, and divider110. In various embodiments, the refrigerant may be selected from thegroup including, but not limited to, ice packs, dry ice, gel packs,chilling units, water, and various other mechanisms for keeping itemschilled. In various embodiments, these aspects of the nested insulatedpackaging assembly 100 may be varied to obtain desired temperatureprofiles in each of the upper chamber 700 and lower chamber 702.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of an outer box 102′. In variousembodiments, the outer box 102′ is similar to the outer box 102 andincludes a top end 112′, a bottom end 114′, a front lateral side wall116′, a back lateral side wall 118′, a left lateral side wall 120′, anda right lateral side wall 122′. The lateral side walls 116′, 118′, 120′,122′ define a top opening 124′ at the top end 112′ of the outer box102′. In various embodiments, the top opening 124′ provides access to anouter storage cavity 134′ defined by the outer box 102′.

As shown in FIG. 8 , the outer box 102′ includes a front locking flap800 at the top end 112′ of the front lateral side wall 116′, a backlocking flap 802 at the top end 112′ of the outer box 102′ at the backlateral side wall 118′, a left locking flap 804 at the top end 112′ ofthe outer box 102′ at the left lateral side wall 120′, and a rightlocking flap 806 at the top end 112′ of the outer box 102′ at the rightlateral side wall 120′. In various embodiments, a bend line 1200 mayseparate the front locking flap 800 into a base panel 1202 and a lockingpanel 1204. When closed, the locking flaps 800,802,804,806 define a topside wall of the outer box 102′. In various embodiments, the outer box102′ also includes a front bottom locking flap 828 at the bottom end114′ of the outer box 102′ at the front lateral side wall 116′, a backbottom locking flap 826 at the bottom end 114′ of the outer box 102′ atthe back lateral side wall 118′, a left bottom locking flap 818 at thebottom end 114′ of the outer box 102′ at the left lateral side wall120′, and a right bottom locking flap 820 at the bottom end 114′ of theouter box 102′ at the right lateral side wall 120′. When closed, thelocking flaps 818,820,826,828 define a bottom side wall of the outer box102′. The number, shape, or location of locking flaps on the outer box102′ should not be considered limiting on the current disclosure as invarious embodiments, the outer box 102′ may have any desired number,shape, or location of locking flaps.

As shown in FIG. 8 , in various embodiments, the locking flaps800,802,804,806 of the outer box 102′ in combination form a self-sealingmechanism. In various embodiments, the self-sealing mechanism enablesthe outer box 102′ to be closed and secured without additional sealingmechanisms such as tapes, glues, adhesives, and various other similarmechanisms. In various embodiments, the self-sealing mechanism includesa left locking tab 808, a center locking tab 810, and a right lockingtab 812 defined on the front locking flap 800. As shown in FIG. 8 , invarious embodiments the self-sealing mechanism also includes a firstlocking slot 822 on the front locking flap 800 between the left lockingtab 808 and the center locking tab 810. In various embodiments, theself-sealing mechanism also includes a second locking slot 824 definedon the front locking flap 800 between the center locking tab 810 and theright locking tab 812. Although a self-sealing mechanism with threelocking tabs 808,810,812 and two locking slots 822,824 on the frontlocking flap 800 is shown in the current embodiment, the number oflocking tabs or locking slots on the front locking flap 800 should notbe considered limiting on the current embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8 ,in various embodiments, self-sealing mechanism also includes a left flaplocking slot 814 defined on the left top locking flap 804 and a rightflap locking slot 816 defined on the right top locking flap 806. Invarious embodiments, the flap locking slots 814,816 are L-shaped;however, the shape of the flap locking slots 814,816 should not beconsidered limiting on the current disclosure as in various otherembodiments, the flap locking slots 814,816 may have any desired shape.The number of locking slots on the left locking flap 804 or rightlocking flap 806 should also not be considered limiting on the currentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of an inner box 104′. In variousembodiments, the inner box 104′ is similar to inner box 104 and includesa top end 162′, a bottom end 164′, a front lateral side wall 166′, aback lateral side wall 168′, a left lateral side wall 170′, and a rightlateral side wall 172′. The inner surfaces of the lateral side walls166′, 168′,170′,172′ define an inner storage cavity 182′. The lateralside walls 166′, 168′, 170′,172′ define an inner box top opening 184′ atthe top end 162′ of the inner box 104′.

As shown in FIG. 9 , the inner box 104′ includes a front flap 900connected to the front lateral side wall 166′ at the top end 162′, aback flap 902 connected to the back lateral side wall 168′ at the topend 162′, a left flap 904 connected to the left lateral side wall 170′at the top end 162′, and a right flap 906 connected to the right lateralside wall 172′ at the top end 162′. When closed, the flaps900,902,904,906 define a top side wall of the inner box 104′. In variousembodiments, the inner box 104′ also includes a back bottom flap 908connected to the back lateral side wall 168′ at the bottom end 164′ anda front bottom flap 910 connected to the front lateral side wall 166′ atthe bottom end 164′. When closed, the flaps 908,910 define a bottom sidewall of the inner box 104′.The shape, location, or number of flapsshould not be considered limiting on the current disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 9 , in various embodiments, the left flap 904 defines aleft handle opening 912 and the right flap 906 defines a right handleopening 914. In various embodiments, a user may grab the left handleopening 912, right handle opening 914, or both handle openings 912,914to aid in handling the inner box 104′. The location, shape, and numberof handle openings should not be considered limiting on the currentembodiment as in various other embodiments, a handle opening may bedefined in any of the flaps 900,902,904,906 or none of the flaps900,902,904,906.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a first thermal liner 106′ and asecond thermal liner 108′. In various embodiments, the first thermalliner 106′ is similar to the first thermal liner 106 and includes a topend 224′, a bottom end 226′, a left side end 228′, and a right side end230′. As shown in FIG. 10 , the first thermal liner 106′ defines aninner surface 147′ and an outer surface (not shown) between the ends224′,226′,228′,230′. In various embodiments, the first thermal liner106′ includes a top fold 142′ defined between the top end 224′ and afirst bend line 148′, a back fold 144′ defined between the first bendline 148′ and a second bend line 150′, and a bottom fold 146′ definedbetween the bend line 150′ and the bottom end 226′. In variousembodiments, the second thermal liner 108′ is similar to the secondthermal liner 108 and includes a top side end 232′, a bottom side end234′, a left side end 236′, and a right side end 238′. As shown in FIG.10 , the second thermal liner 108′ defines an inner surface 241′ and anouter surface (not shown) between the ends 232′,234′,236′,238′. Thesecond thermal liner 108′ includes a left fold 152′ defined between theleft side end 236′ and a third bend line 158′, a front fold 154′ definedbetween the third bend line 158′ and a fourth bend line 160′, and aright fold 156′ defined between the fourth bend line 160′ and the rightside end 238′ in various embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 10 , in various embodiments, a distance from the firstbend line 148′ to the second bend line 150′ on the first thermal liner106′, which is the height of the back fold 144′, is greater than adistance from the bottom side end 234′ to the top side end 232′ of thesecond thermal liner 108′, which is the height of the second thermalliner 108′.

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of nested insulated packaging assembly100′ with the thermal liners 106′, 108′ shown in in FIG. 10 and theinner box 104′ shown in FIG. 9 inserted into the outer box 102′ shown inFIG. 8 . FIG. 12 shows the nested insulated packaging assembly 100′ withthe outer box 102′ closed and the locking flaps 800,804,806 engaged. Invarious embodiments, the self-sealing mechanism, including locking flaps800,804,806, enable the nested insulated packaging assembly 100′ to beself-sealing and secure the nested insulated packaging assembly 100′closed.

As shown in FIG. 12 , in various embodiments the self-sealing mechanismincludes the bend line 1200 defined on the front locking flap 800. Thebend line 1200 may separate the front locking flap 800 into the basepanel 1202 and the locking panel 1204. In various embodiments, thelocking panel 1204 is bent relative to the base panel 1202 along bendline 1200. In various embodiments, the bending of the locking panel 1204permits the left locking tab 808 of the front locking flap 800 to beinserted into the left locking slot 814 of the left flap 804. Thebending also permits the right locking tab 812 of the front locking flap800 to be inserted into the right locking slot 816 of the right flap806. As shown in FIG. 12 , in various embodiments, the center lockingtab 810 is positioned over the flaps 804,806 when the left locking tab808 is inserted into the left locking slot 814 and the right locking tab812 is inserted into the right locking slot 816. In this manner, thetabs 808,810,812 lock the front locking flap 800 with the side flaps804,806 and lock the nested insulated packaging assembly 100′. Invarious embodiments, the center tab 810 holds the side flaps 804,806down and the left tab 808 and right tab 812 hold the front locking flap800 down.

A method of assembling the nested insulated packaging assembly 100 isalso disclosed. It should be noted that any of the steps of any of themethods described herein may be performed in any order or could beperformed in sub-steps that are done in any order or that are separatedin time from each other by other steps or sub-steps, and the disclosureof a particular order of steps should not be considered limiting on thecurrent disclosure. The outer box 102 having the outer storage cavity134 is provided.

The first thermal liner 106 is positioned in outer storage cavity 134 ofthe outer box 102 such that the bottom fold 146 contacts a bottom sideof the box, the back fold 144 contacts one of the lateral side walls,such as the back lateral side wall 118, of the outer box 102, and thetop fold 142 contacts a top side of the outer box 102 when closed suchthat the top fold 142 covers the top opening 124 of the outer storagecavity 134. The second thermal liner 108 is positioned in the outerstorage cavity 134 of the outer box 102 such that the second thermalliner 108 contacts three of the lateral side walls of the outer box 102,such as the left lateral side wall 120, right lateral side wall 122, andfront lateral side wall 116. The second thermal liner 108 is positionedin various embodiments such that the bottom end 234 contacts and restson the inner surface 147 of the first thermal liner 106 on the bottomfold 146 of the first thermal liner 106, the left side end 236 and rightside end 238 contacts the inner surface 147 of the first thermal liner106 on the back fold 144 of the first thermal liner 106, and the top end234 contacts the inner surface 147 of the first thermal liner 106 on thetop fold 142 when the top fold 142 is closed.

The first thermal liner 106 and second thermal liner 108 positioned inthe outer storage cavity 134 define the insulated cavity 240. In variousembodiments, the inner surface 147 of the first thermal liner 106 andthe inner surface 241 of the second thermal liner 108 define theinsulated cavity 240. In various embodiments, the inner box 104 ispositioned in the insulated cavity 240. In various embodiments, theinner surfaces 147,241 contact the outer surfaces of all the side wallsof the inner box 104 when the nested insulated packaging assembly 100 isclosed.

In various embodiments, a user positions the items 704 in the innerstorage cavity 182 of the inner box 104. The divider 110 is positionedin the inner storage cavity 182 over the items 704. The user positionsitems 706 in the inner storage cavity 182 of the inner box 104 on thedivider 110. Insertion of the divider 110 in the inner storage cavity182 separates the inner storage cavity 182 into the upper chamber 700,the portion of the inner storage cavity 182 and the top end 162 of theinner box 104, and the lower chamber 702, the portion of the innerstorage cavity 182 and the bottom end 164 of the inner box 104. Invarious embodiments, vent openings 214 in the divider 110 permit warmair to rise from the lower chamber 702 into the upper chamber 700 andcool air to settle from the upper chamber 700 into the lower chamber702. In various embodiments, the temperature maintained in the upperchamber 700 may be different from the temperature maintained in thelower chamber 702, permitting packaging of items that need to be storedat different temperatures.

In various embodiments, the nested insulated packaging assembly 100enables a transporter or deliverer to transport items to be shipped,such as the items 704 and items 706, in the inner box 104 positioned inthe outer box 102 and remove the inner box 104 for the end user whileretaining the outer box 102 and thermal liners 106,108 for reuse. Invarious embodiments, the deliverer may reuse the outer box 102 andthermal liners 106,108 with other inner boxes 104 for other customers.The deliverer may also more reliably recycle the outer box 102 andthermal liners 106,108 after delivery of the inner box 104 for the enduser.

One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments donot include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, suchconditional language is not generally intended to imply that features,elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particularembodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarilyinclude logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting,whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to beperformed in any particular embodiment.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Manyvariations and modifications may be made to the above-describedembodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit andprinciples of the present disclosure. Further, the scope of the presentdisclosure is intended to cover any and all combinations andsub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspects discussed above.All such modifications and variations are intended to be included hereinwithin the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims toindividual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended tobe supported by the present disclosure.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A thermal liner comprising: a single pieceof resilient insulation material; and an outer covering coupled to thesingle piece of resilient insulation material; and wherein: a firstportion of the thermal liner defines a first end of the thermal liner; asecond portion of the thermal liner defines a second end of the thermalliner; a third portion of the thermal liner is positioned between thefirst portion and the second portion; the single piece of resilientinsulation material at least partially defining each of the firstportion, the second portion, and the third portion; the thermal liner isconfigured to fold to a C-shaped configuration; the first portion ispositioned substantially parallel to the second portion in the C-shapedconfiguration; and the third portion is substantially perpendicular tothe first portion and the second portion in the C-shaped configuration.2. The thermal liner of claim 1, wherein the single piece of resilientinsulation material extends from the first end to the second end.
 3. Thethermal liner of claim 1, wherein the outer covering extends from thefirst end to the second end.
 4. The thermal liner of claim 1, whereinthe single piece of resilient insulation material and the outer coveringeach extend from the first end to the second end.
 5. The thermal linerof claim 1, wherein the outer cover at least partially encapsulates thesingle piece of resilient insulation material.
 6. The thermal liner ofclaim 1, wherein the outer cover fully encapsulates the single piece ofresilient insulation material.
 7. The thermal liner of claim 1, whereinthe outer covering comprises a polymer.
 8. The thermal liner of claim 1,wherein the single piece of insulation material is a single piece ofnonwoven insulation material.
 9. A method of configuring a thermal linerin a C-shape, the method comprising: folding a first portion of thethermal liner to be substantially perpendicular to a second portion ofthe thermal liner, the thermal liner comprising a single piece ofresilient insulation material and an outer covering coupled to theresilient insulation material, the single piece of resilient insulationat least partially defining each of the first portion and the secondportion; and folding a third portion of the thermal liner to besubstantially perpendicular to the second portion of the thermal liner,the single piece of resilient insulation material at least partiallydefining the third portion.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the stepsof folding the first portion of the thermal liner to be substantiallyperpendicular to the second portion of the thermal liner and folding thethird portion of the thermal liner to be substantially perpendicular tothe second portion of the thermal liner each comprise folding the singlepiece of resilient insulation material.
 11. The method of claim 9,wherein: the first portion defines a first end of the thermal liner; thesecond portion defines a second end of the thermal liner; and the singlepiece of resilient insulation material extends from the first end to thesecond end.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein: the first portiondefines a first end of the thermal liner; the second portion defines asecond end of the thermal liner; and the outer covering extends from thefirst end to the second end.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein: thefirst portion defines a first end of the thermal liner; the secondportion defines a second end of the thermal liner; and the outercovering and the single piece of resilient insulation material eachextend from the first end to the second end.
 14. The method of claim 9,wherein the outer covering at least partially encapsulates the singlepiece of resilient insulation material.
 15. The method of claim 9,wherein the outer covering fully encapsulates the single piece ofresilient insulation material.
 16. The method of claim 9, wherein thesingle piece of insulation material is a single piece of nonwoveninsulation material.